Chapter 4
Some Will Depart from the Faith
4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
In several of his epistles Paul has revealed a significant amount of future prophecy, much of it still yet future. One subject he regularly mentions is the issue of apostasy, the rejection of the gospel message by many people (see Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3). This concept often spurs controversy as some believe that this proves that one’s salvation can be lost, but that is not what is being taught here. The Holy Spirit through some form of revelation to Paul states that in later times (could be end times but time frame is not specific) some will depart from the faith, meaning their attention has been diverted, no longer drawing towards Jesus as they seek other priorities. These “devil developed and deployed distractions” have been around for many years but they are becoming more accepted as being okay for a Christian to believe in every year. For example, many pastors prefer to preach about the environment, personal prosperity, poverty, social reform, etc. instead of preaching the gospel message.
Here Paul notes that these people have devoted themselves to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons. It appears that deception is one of Satan’s favorite weapons against God. Why? Because it works so well, especially against those who don’t know the full counsel of God’s truth. Jesus identified him as “a liar and the father of lies” (see John 8:44). Paul further notes that the deception is passed on through hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared and no longer function, those that say marriage is wrong and believe it’s wrong to eat certain foods. Most theologians would identify this way of thinking as being legalism, especially those who believe that much of Old Testament law still needs to be followed to gain God’s favor. Again, they are not fully understanding God’s Word.
Paul counters any requirements to abstain from eating foods by proclaiming that, “everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” (Verses 4-5, ESV) He adds that the conditions are that the food must be received with thanksgiving as it was made holy by the Word of God and prayer. Most commentators are quick to point out that the Word of God itself does not change or make food holy, but it does reveal that the food has been declared clean and acceptable to eat by Jesus (see Mark 7:18-19; Luke 11:49; Acts 10:9-15, see also Romans 14:1-12; Colossians 2:16-17). One could read the end of verse five and understand that Paul is saying that believers should ask God to bless the food (essentially making it safe to eat), but it appears that Paul’s emphasis in this passage is to thank God for the blessing of providing the food to eat.
Train for Godliness
4:6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
Paul informs Timothy (and us readers) that if these things are taught to fellow believers they are being good servants of Jesus. Which leads to the question, “What things?” Some say that which is contained in the last five verses, perhaps, but I think that anyone with the gift of teaching is a good servant when they teach any part of the Bible, as long as they follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. But even with the gift of teaching, regular reading of the Bible and training in the “words of faith and of the good doctrine” are still required. God has blessed us by providing Paul’s, and others, epistles in His Word, so that we too can understand the “good doctrine.” The New American Standard Bible (NASB) adds the word ‘constantly’ to this verse, even though not in the original text, I believe that was Paul’s intention, for all to be constantly nourished by the Word of God.
4:7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Paul then makes a profound statement, “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales.” (1 Timothy 4:7a, NLT) One’s priority must be on God’s Word, not on the words of man. Satan uses intellect as a weapon against God and the spreading of the gospel. While it is true that we can “reason out” Christianity with Scripture (see Acts 17:2-3), there are truths we have to accept by faith. How do we offer God-breathed reasoning to others? Paul says we need to train ourselves for godliness. He notes that physical training has some benefits, but training in godliness (referring to knowing and rightfully applying the Word of God) has greater value as it has value in both this present life and the life to come.
4:9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
There is some debate as to which 'saying' Paul is referring to here, that of what he just wrote (verses seven and eight), or what he about to write in verse ten, as some translate the first word of the verse as ‘this’. Even though most scholars see it as referring to the previous verses, I am torn as they both contain trustworthy statements that deserve to be fully accepted. Still referring to the need for constant nourishment from the Word of God, that being an ongoing and diligent study, that we are willing to toil and strive for (make the effort) because there is hope in the living God, the Savior of all people, true for believers today, and those that will accept Jesus in the future.
Command and Teach
4:11 Command and teach these things.
Timothy is given an imperative to command and teach God’s Word (“these things” refers to the subject of his godliness training in Scripture, verses six through ten). Undoubtedly most readers that have been taught by others rarely if ever, have been ‘commanded’ to listen and obey what they are being taught (unless you are in a military or similar scenario). Paul is not ‘commanding’ that Timothy teach and command obedience for others to obey him, but to teach them to listen and learn from Scripture and obey God.
4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Regardless of subject matter, being a young teacher has its disadvantages. People relate maturity, knowledge, and wisdom with age. If you are young (or at least young in the eyes of a student) you are presumed to possess little to none of those attributes. Paul told Timothy to not let that bother him and let the lesson do the teaching. In other words don’t get angry or raise your voice, just remain calm, respond in love, faith, and always in purity (don’t elaborate the truth).
4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
Paul desires Timothy to devote himself to reading Scripture, to encourage, and to teach in public venues, places where people can come to hear and grow in the Word of God.
4:14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Paul pleads with Timothy to use the gift God gave him, based on the content of this chapter Timothy likely had the gift of teaching. He tells him that the gift was given to him when the council of elders laid their hands on him, not something from them, but guided by prophecy, from God Himself, no higher authority. He is to fully immerse himself in doing these things (read, study, and teach) so that all can see his progress (not for his benefit, but for all to see that he practices what he preaches). Paul next tells Timothy to keep a close watch on himself and on his teaching. Why would Paul add that warning here? No one is immune to the wiles of Satan and to resist, we need to draw near to God and stay there (see James 4:7-8), which requires us to keep watching and remain diligent. The world and its man-made philosophies may sound reasonable but if not rooted in God’s Word, stop! Paul notes that by doing so Timothy will save himself and those he is teaching.